Thursday, April 19, 2012

Paris in February with an Infant

Sorry if this shows up twice - my last message never made it to the board



We are traveling in 4 days to Paris with a 10 month old. We will be staying in the 1st arr. close to the Louvre in a hotel called Tonic Louvre. Three questions folks:



1. Any tips on the hotel? Things to avoid?


2. Any tips on walking tours with a stroller?


3. My wife has a big weakness for street markets and quaint cafes. Any recommendations?


thanks all!!




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We just went to Paris January 15 with a two year old and a nine month old. We never encountered anyplace that wouldn%26#39;t allow strollers (even the nicer restaurants were accommodating). We took the Metro for most of our transportation, which was kind of difficult to do with a stroller. We didn%26#39;t see hardly any lifts, so we had to carry the stroller up and down the metro stairs. The hotel where we stayed was very small, but it was clean and had everything we needed. It did have a lift, but it was barely large enough to fit the umbrella stroller and an adult in it at the same time. I would stick with an umbrella stroller, rather than a larger touring stroller. It%26#39;s lighter if you have to carry it up and down the stairs, and it%26#39;s thin enough that it will fit in most places.



We weren%26#39;t able to spend much time there, but there were nice little open markets and vendors along the Seine near Notre Dame. It was sunny when we went, but cold, so keep that in mind with the baby.




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Try to avoid the metro, as it is not really stroller friendly. Prefer the bus, it%26#39;s much easier.





Walking tours : as you are close to the Louvre, i%26#39;d suggest you to go there and walk on the Jardin des Tuileries that is adjacent to the Museum. Less known, there is also the Jardin du Palais Royal that stands right behind the Comedie Francaise. Smaller, but nice for a toddler to run and have fun (good for the parents too, as it is totally closed so you can leave a little one running in total safety).





Markets : there is a special market pretty close to the Louvre, near the Palais de Justice and Notre dame on the ile de la cit�� : the flowers and birds market. Every day except monday, bigger on sunday morning. For a %26quot;generic%26quot; market, go to Place de la Bourse on Tuesday and Friday afternoon, or Marche Saint Honore (place du marche saint honore) on saturday morning.

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